$25 million drug seizure on inaugural deployment

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, homeported in Alameda, interdicted two separate drug smuggling vessels. One case included the recovery of 13 bales of cocaine, totaling 500 kilograms, and five suspects. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Coast Guard Cutter Waesche.

Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, the service’s second national security cutter, just returned from its inaugural deployment. And what a successful deployment it was.

Throughout the three-month patrol in the Pacific Ocean, the cutter and crew demonstrated the national security cutter’s ability to operate in some of the most dynamic environments for extended periods of time. While the entire deployment included many accomplishments, one 48-hour period exemplified the cutter’s capabilities when they interdicted two separate drug-smuggling vessels.

One of the intercepted drug-smuggling vessels. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Coast Guard Cutter Waesche.

The first seizure came when the ship’s helicopter spotted a fishing vessel with three people aboard. Suspiciously, the vessel had numerous makeshift fuel tanks and no fish or fishing gear aboard. The Waesche crew dispatched its boat and intercepted the 20-foot fishing vessel some 350 miles south of Guatemala, where they found cocaine hidden aboard the vessel.

Just 48 hours later, Waesche’s helicopter crew spotted a fishing vessel about 300 miles southeast of Puntarenas, Costa Rica. As the helicopter soared overhead, the vessel’s crew began throwing bales of cocaine overboard.

The helicopter directed Waesche’s response boat to the vessel and the Coast Guardsmen recovered five suspects and 13 bales of cocaine, totaling 500 kilograms.

“It’s an honor returning home after our inaugural and successful counternarcotics patrol,” said Capt. Kelly Hatfield, Waesche’s commanding officer. “We prevented $25 million worth of illegal narcotics from reaching U.S. shores. The capability of this ship coupled with the best crew I have ever served with exceeds my expectations on a daily basis. With over 10 years of sea time, I have never experienced a ship that could do so much, so efficiently and so reliably.”

Rear Adm. Christopher Colvin, Coast Guard Pacific Area deputy commander, praised Wasche’s performance in keeping threats from the U.S. and conveyed the importance of counter-drug patrols in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean – main arteries for the transportation of cocaine.

“These operations also help to remove the cocaine and money that fuels the organized crime and violence that threaten regional security and stability,” said Colvin.

Every load of contraband stopped at sea represents lives saved here in the U.S. While Waesche is one of the newest cutters in the Coast Guard’s fleet, the ship’s crew is upholding the service’s centuries-old tradition of protecting Americans and stopping contraband from reaching our shores. With Waesche’s crew on patrol, they proved America is better positioned to protect our nation’s shores, ports and waterways.

I am so proud of my son CPO Tullos, and all the men and women serving with him on the Waesche. With deep respect, one proud mom, MRS Tullos

Larry Kramer

Outstanding!!!! Bravo Zulu to the Officers, Crew and AVDET of the USCGC WAESCHE.

L.D. Kramer
CPO USCG Retired
MLEA Staff Instructor

Roberto Flores

Awesome!! My son IT2 R. Flores is also on board. Semper Paratus!

Mike Hoffman

From a USN, Viet Nam Vet, Boatswain’s Mate who used to shoot 5 inch 54s over the heads of White Patrol Boat crews in the Tonkin Gulf I hoist a Bravo Zulu.

Alan Schaefer

Great job to the CGC Waesche and her crew I am so very proud of my daughter who serves with these great Americans

Keep up the great work!!!

George Smith

We are very proud of our son ITC Jeff Smith and the crew from the CGC Waesche for their service to our country.

jennifer Tullos-French

Knowing that my brother was serving on the Waesche makes me that much prouder of my brother. My brother along with the rest of their crew are great role models to my teenage boys! Keep up the great work!
C. Tullos we love you!

CBPO J.B

Congrats to our Coast Guard brothers. We’ll watch the land borders and you guys keep doing it out at sea.

From a CBP officer in TX.

coastie 4life!

lets leave the names off of here and just praise the entire crew for a job well done…OPSEC!

Joy Walsh

As the aunt of one of the crew memebers I say thank you to all for a job well done yesterday, today and tomorrow. Proud of you all.

BMCS Jon Ostrowski

Great job Waesche crew! You have proven to all U.S. taxpayers why the Coast Guard is worth every penny spent. BZ

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